Era of the New Majority

[Maxwell]

What is the margin on the New York City race?

[KingSweden]

What is the margin on the New York City race?

I'd imagine less than 2013, but probably in the 60-40 range.

[KingSweden]

December 2017: A slow month, no major legislation passes. One of the best Christmas shopping seasons on record contrasts with a 600-point slump in the Dow to end the month. Oil drops back under $90 a barrel as the situation in Russia calms down, though the rouble is still weak and the economy there has not had positive growth since 2014, signalling a depression. It is an unseasonably dry winter, with minimal snowfall across North America or Europe after a quiet, unremarkable hurricane season. A garbage workers' strike begins in Milwaukee.

December 2017 (continued): Ahn Cheol-soo is elected President of South Korea as an independent, and he appoints Park Won-soon as Prime Minister. He is the youngest man elected President of South Korea, and marks a major shift towards populism in South Korean political discourse.

And now, for Sports: USC quarterback Ricky Town wins the Heisman after a 5,000 yard, 47 touchdown and 5 interception season for the Trojans, beating out Alabama QB Cooper Bateman and Florida QB Will Grier. In the MLS Cup, Orlando City defeats Vancouver Whitecaps in penalty kicks. It is a remarkable run for both teams, with the Lions being the first "wild-card" team to win the Cup after knocking off Columbus and the Supporters' Shield-winning DC United en route to the Cup, and the Whitecaps are the first Canadian side to play for an MLS Cup. In the FIFA Club World Cup, Bayern Munich defeats Seongnam FC to win their third championship.

[KingSweden]

January 2018: GDP data suggest that the economy grew by 2.2% in Q4 of 2017, the first time since Q3 of 2016 that it grew by more than 1.5%. A massive snowstorm blankets the Northeast. Former Congressman John Dingell passes away - he lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda. Speaker Becerra and former Speaker Boehner both give addresses at his funeral.

January 2018 (continued): In early elections, Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic wins another term as Prime Minister with a reduced majority, partnering with the Socialist Party once again to form an overwhelming majority government. The victory raises concerns in neighboring Croatia and Bosnia. Austria's FPO leads a massive rally attended by close to 50,000 people in central Vienna after the Bundestag fails to pass a harsh immigration restriction bill they had championed. Shinzo Abe steps down as Prime Minister of Japan and is replaced by Sanae Takaichi, the first female Prime Minister of Japan.

And now, for Sports: USC, led by Heisman-winner Ricky Town, is defeated by 11-1 Florida, which missed out on a chance to play for the SEC title by losing to Tennessee early in the season, in the Rose Bowl. 11-1 SEC Champion Alabama defeats Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl to set up an all-SEC championship in Indianapolis. Alabama wins its 17th national championship and fifth in a decade under Nick Saban by defeating Florida in a duel of Heisman runner-ups Cooper Bateman and Will Grier, 34-27, in an instant classic.

[KingSweden]

2017-18 NFL Playoffs

NFC

Wild Card Round

(3) Seattle Seahawks vs. (6) Los Angeles Rams

The reigning NFC champions travel on the road to Seattle, where they hold the distinction of being the only road team to ever defeat the Seahawks at the C-Link in the playoffs. The luck of the top defense in the league runs out in Seattle, though, as Russell Wilson and the #2 defense snuff out the Rams and win an ugly game 17-9 to advance.

(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. (5) Detroit Lions

Marcus Mariota's playoff debut does not go well as the Buccaneers are swamped by the 10-6 Lions, who ride former Buc running back Doug Martin to three touchdown runs and two TD passes by Matt Stafford to Eric Ebron to win a blowout 41-7, their first playoff victory since 1991.

Divisional Round

(2) Green Bay Packers vs. (3) Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks travel to Green Bay, where their road ends in a 20-13 loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Hasean Clinton-Dix intercepts Wilson's fourth quarter pass at the 5-yard line to prevent a tying score and the Packers advance to the Championship Round.

(1) Philadelphia Eagles vs. (5) Detroit Lions

In another road upset, the Lions knock off Nick Foles and the 14-2 Eagles in a stunning 31-3 blowout, intercepting Foles four times and with Matt Stafford throwing three touchdown passes, two of them to Golden Tate and one to Calvin Johnson.

NFC Championship

(2) Green Bay Packers vs. (5) Detroit Lions

In a NFC North rivalry showdown, the Lions head to Lambeau Field in a snowstorm to battle Aaron Rodgers and the mighty Packers. With the passing games mostly limited in the heavy snowfall and low temperatures, the Lions ride Doug Martin spelled by rookie running back Samaje Perine. Perine scores twice - making him even more hated by Wisconsinites after beating Melvin Gordon's rushing record in 2014 - to spell the Lions to a 17-0, old-school "Snow Bowl" win with four missed field goals combined and the first playoff shutout in Aaron Rodgers' career.

With the win, the Detroit Lions are the 2017 NFC Champions! This is their first-ever Super Bowl performance, spelled by steady running, a vicious defense and the skills of veteran QB Matt Stafford.

AFC

Wild Card Round

(3) Baltimore Ravens vs. (6) Cleveland Browns

In their first playoff appearance since 2002, the Cleveland Browns defeat the favored Ravens 16-14 on a last-second field goal. Johnny Manziel does not have a particularly good game, but the Browns defense shuts down Joe Flacco after the first quarter and grinds out the victory.

(4) Buffalo Bills vs. (5) Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have the misfortune of having to travel to Buffalo in one of the coldest winters in recent memory. Bills star wideout Sammy Watkins catches 14 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns from rookie QB and fellow Clemson alum Deshaun Watson to beat down the Dolphins 48-16.

Divisional Round

(1) Indianapolis Colts vs. (6) Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel explodes for 360 yards passing and 180 yards rushing against the favored Colts, ending their repeat bid by pacing the Browns to a 47-14 blowout win over the hapless Colts, with Andrew Luck throwing three interceptions and with TY Hilton fumbling on a kick return. The Browns advance to their first AFC Championship game since 1987.

(2) San Diego Chargers vs. (4) Buffalo Bills

The Bills miracle season ends in San Diego, where Phillip Rivers' fourth-quarter comeback knocks off Buffalo 24-21, with Rivers throwing a TD to Keenan Allen with 0:17 left on the clock after the Chargers started the fourth quarter down 21-10.

AFC Championship

(2) San Diego Chargers vs. (6) Cleveland Browns

Manziel continues his remarkable season by leading the Browns to a comeback upset of the Chargers on the road, with a 11-yard scramble with 0:09 seconds left down 34-28 to score. Manziel throws for 107 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, but along with running back Isaiah Crowell paces the Browns to a 300 team rushing yard day with one touchdown for himself and two for Crowell.

With the win, the Cleveland Browns are the 2017 AFC Champions! It is the first-ever Super Bowl appearance by the Browns, led by a terrific season from Manziel and the Browns defense, particularly veteran corner Joe Haden who has 14 interceptions on the season including the playoffs.

[KingSweden]

Super Bowl LII

At Vikings Stadium in Minneapolis, Super Bowl LII pits the Detroit Lions against the Cleveland Browns. Some storylines in the press in the weeks prior to the game:

• Ohio-Michigan: This is a Midwest showdown occurring in the Midwest. These two teams represent the same states as the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry at the college level, one of the biggest feuds in sports. The cities are no more than two and a half hours apart and both teams' fans can easily drive to the Super Bowl in Minnesota.
• The Wild Card Bowl: It is the first Super Bowl to feature two wild card teams, and the first in which neither participant played a single home game during the playoffs.
• Clash of Quarterbacks: Two Texas native QBs face off in this game, with very different styles. The pass-happy Detroit offense is led by the demure, humble Matt Stafford, a veteran who took his lumps on some bad Lions teams and is well-regarded by almost all in the NFL. The more run-heavy Cleveland offense is led by the polarizing Johnny Manziel, regarded by some as a gunslingin' player who makes it look fun and easy and by others as an entitled, showoff-ish celebrity who parties too much. As NBC Sports commentator Peyton Manning phrases it, "I think most of the country is rooting for Detroit tonight."

Other noteworthy items: This is the first time since 1985 that both franchises are playing in their first Super Bowl. Detroit's Jim Caldwell, already the only black head coach to lead two different teams to the playoffs, is the first black head coach to take two different teams to the Super Bowl (2009 Indianapolis being the other) and is only the 7th head coach to take two teams to the Super Bowl. It is exactly sixty years since Detroit won their last championship (1957).

The Game:

The Detroit Lions start off by scoring three straight touchdowns on their first three drives, two of which are caught by Calvin Johnson, one of which is abetted by a Johnny Manziel interception thrown to Darius Slay. Only on the last drive of the second quarter do the Browns get on the board with a field goal. 21-3 Detroit advantage at the half.

On the first drive of the second half, Manziel marches the Browns down the field and scores on a six-yard run to tie the game 21-10. On the very next offensive play, Calvin Johnson catches a short Matt Stafford pass, evades Joe Haden and takes it 77 yards for a touchdown. On the next drive, Manziel fumbles and the ball is recovered by Ziggy Ansah. Samaje Perine scores two plays later on a 26-yard TD run.

Down 35-10, the Browns go four-and-out midway through the third quarter and Detroit mostly runs out the clock from then on, with no more scoring plays in the entire game. Calvin Johnson is named Super Bowl MVP with 161 receiving yards on 10 catches and three touchdowns, and Detroit takes home its first-ever Super Bowl championship.

[KingSweden]

February 2018: A study is released suggesting Medicare will remain solvent until 2027, with Social Security solvent until 2043. Republicans cite the report as a reason to start reforming both programs now, with means testing being touted by Thune and Barrasso as a compromise position that could earn some Democratic support. Neither the energy nor immigration plans have come up for a vote yet, leading Sandoval to public air his frustrations, saying on "Meet the Press" that, "I'm starting to wonder if they (the Democrats) actually want a bill to pass and if they're actually interested in partnering on us with it." A spokesperson for the Bush family announces that George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston. Vermont becomes the first state to pass a law mandating a minimum of four weeks vacation for all full-time salaried employees and passing stricter overtime requirements.

February 2018 (continued): A 9.2 earthquake strikes Chile, killing 12,000 people and sending the country into pandemonium a few weeks before Michelle Bachelet's successor, Minister of Defense Rodrigo Hinzpeter, is inaugurated. The Greek coalition collapses when PASOK balks at a very left-wing platform proposed by Syriza for the new year, triggering early elections and sending European markets down 7%. Fillon's cabinet introduces a budget aimed more at reforming regulatory bodies and altering the business climate in France rather than raising taxes or cutting spending - it is criticized by Sarkozy, now a TV pundit and personality, as "small-time." A tentative peace deal is signed in Libya, brokered by Egypt and South Africa, though many suspect it will collapse in time.

[KingSweden]

2018 Winter Olympics

The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang go well, after the massive cost overruns at Sochi. Shaun White competes in his last-ever Olympiad, Lindsey Vonn makes a triumphant return to the ski slopes, and Canada wins its third straight Gold Medal in men's ice hockey and fourth since 2002, defeating Russia in the final. Sweden wins women's ice hockey over the USA. There are no North Korea-related security episodes during the games, and Park Geun-hye is present in one of her last activities as President.

[KingSweden]

March 2018: The Sandoval-Schumer immigration plan is put to a final vote on the Senate floor, with amendments regarding a stricter E-Verify regime, H-1 visas and an automated visa-tracking system put into the final version. All 52 Democrats vote in favor, and the following Republicans vote in favor of it too:

Brian Sandoval (R-NV)
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Josh Romney (R-UT)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Steve Daines (R-MT)
John Hoeven (R-ND)
John Thune (R-SD)
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
James Lankford (R-OK)
Rand Paul (R-KY)
Bob Corker (R-TN)
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
David Perdue (R-GA)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

With 15 Republicans voting on the final package, it clears the threatened filibuster by Ted Cruz and Jeff Sessions to pass 67-30, with three Republicans abstaining to vote. As the Immigration Reform and Modernization Act of 2018 (IRMA) heads to the House, it is already touted as Hillary's first great achievement. The news cycle quickly shifts, however, when news arrives that the 41st President, George H.W. Bush, has passed away at 93, two and a half months shy of 94. He dies having reached the oldest age of any living President, beating out Reagan and Ford by several months.

March 2018 (continued): Vladimir Putin is reelected President of Russia, winning 52% of the vote against a divided opposition. It is his lowest total percentage in history, lower than in 2000 when the Russian opposition wasn't as toothless. Revised GDP figures suggest that Germany's economic contraction in Q4 2017 were worse than expected, contracting 0.5 instead of 0.1. Early projections also indicate that Germany, and much of the Eurozone at large, is still contracting in Q1, indicating a fresh recession. The first six months of Sarkozy's television program have been a ratings success, where he comments on the news of the day with bombast and criticizes mostly his fellow UMP members. His rivalry with President Fillon is laid bare when the President angrily says in an interview, "This new job is perfect for Nicolas. He gets to be on TV and do nothing but criticize and demagogue against those with actual responsibilities." Pakistani authorities confirm that they have killed several senior al-Qaeda and Taliban figures in Waziristan. Prime Minister Takaichi releases a new, stimulatory budget to try to juice Japan's economy once again.

[KingSweden]

The Funeral of George H.W. Bush

Besides all living former Presidents, other notable attendees are:

Former British Prime Minister John Major
Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan
Former Vice President Dick Cheney
Former Vice President Dan Quayle
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush
Former Chief of Staff John Sununu

Some notable quotes from eulogizers:

George W. Bush: "I'm going to miss my father's wit, his energy, his kindness, his compassion, and his graciousness. Most of all, though, I'm going to miss having this incredible, loving man in my life. We're going to miss you, Dad."

Bill Clinton: "George Bush could have boasted and gloated as the Soviet empire crumbled, like many would have done, but George Bush was far too humble and had far too much integrity to do such a thing... In the quarter-century since President Bush and I faced each other in a national election, we formed a friendship. Today, America has lost a President. The Bush family has lost a father and grandfather. The world has lost a very kind man. And I, like many others, have lost a very good and generous friend."

Dan Quayle: "There was no greater honor in my life than being asked by George Herbert Walker Bush to be his Vice President. It was an honor not because of the office I held, but because of the man I had the privilege of becoming close to."

Barack Obama: "At a crucial time in our nation's history, George Bush guided us through the end of the half-century Cold War and the dawning of, as he put it, a 'new world order.' George Bush set an example for generations of Americans to come of humility, honor and integrity, and his Presidency will be remembered for years to come as a successful and exemplary one."

[KingSweden]

April 2018: Just as the month begins, Illinois partially defaults on its public debt after it is unable for the first time to pay its full pension obligations and it suffers a severe credit downgrade. US indexes are down nearly 10% in two weeks and the Fed considers maintaining a 0.25 benchmark interest rate over three years instead of just another two. Republicans seize on the event as a reason to point to the 10-year debt ceiling hike enacted a year earlier by the Democratic Congress and many Democrats balk at budget provisions being debated in the two houses of Congress with the media's focus landing on public debt. The event causes Bruce Rauner's approvals to drop even lower, and in a massive upset, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart defeats Lisa Madigan in the Democratic primary for Governor.

Meanwhile, a late-season snowstorm blankets the Eastern Seaboard. The long-debated energy bill has still not been passed, largely over environmentalist objections. Clinton signs IRMA into law. Improving economic data indicates continued 2% growth in the US while the Eurozone slides into another recession, albeit a mild one.

April 2018 (continued): Angela Merkel signals that she will retire in favor of Ursula von der Leyen by the end of the year, causing markets in the Eurozone to decline further. A grand coalition of New Democracy, PASOK and ANEL is formed after fresh Greek elections, signalling much-needed stability to many in the global economy after a chaotic two years of Syriza governance. Venezuelan anti-chavista leader Leopoldo Lopez is assassinated in Caracas by a team of gunmen, eliminating a mainstream politician and worsening the violence. Nova Scotia holds polls, and the results are as follows:

Liberals - 36 seats
Conservatives - 13 seats
New Democrats - 2 seats

And now, for Sports: In San Antonio for the Final Four, Illinois, led by electric freshmen Omar Little, Tony Grant and Jamal Jackson, defeat Marquette in the semifinals while Kentucky defeats North Carolina in the other semi. Little's Illini win their first-ever national championship when they knock off the Wildcats 57-52 in a thriller of a game.

[jojoju1998]

I have a question. What happened to Tom Mcclintock ? He is from the 4th congressinol district of California. Did he get defeated in 2016 ?

[KingSweden]

I have a question. What happened to Tom Mcclintock ? He is from the 4th congressinol district of California. Did he get defeated in 2016 ?

No Democrat won in any district with a PVI greater than R+5 or R+6, so he's still in Congress.

[KingSweden]

May 2018: Congress passes a law updating the Internet so that it is classified as a utility and regulated as such, and later in the month passes the Hoeven energy bill, with it gaining 70 votes in the Senate after a compromise included to pacify environmentalists is passed. However, many Democrats still do not vote in favor after pressure by Steyer's Super PACs rally support against it.

Fallout from the Illinois default continues as Rauner orders an immediate government shutdown and signs an executive order freezing pay raises, cutting state employee pay in half and slashing pension payments by one third. The legislature passes laws forbidding him from doing so and the State Supreme Court will surely strike the measure down, but Rauner vetoes the laws only to have them overturned. The optics of a wealthy millionaire slashing pay for state employees does not go over well, despite Rauner himself having only collected a $1 annual salary since 2015, and there are massive protests in Springfield and Chicago against "Emperor Bruce." Some national Democrats privately debate whether Illinois will need, and whether it deserves, a bailout after years of failing to get its fiscal house in order.

May 2018 (continued): Two deaths within three days of each other in the world of Francophone leadership - former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien dies at 84, and Jacques Chirac dies three days later at 85. Four US soldiers are killed execution-style by guerillas in Venezuela, with the murder broadcast live on YouTube for the world to see, increasing pressure on NATO to step up their commitment to the peacekeeping mission. An Emirates flight from Dubai to Berlin is shot down by IS fighters while flying over Iraq, killing all 370 passengers aboard. Miro Cerar's government is returned in Slovenian elections. Mariano Rajoy signals his intention to call snap elections prior to the end of the year if the new Spanish Constitution is passed by both houses in the next six months.

[KingSweden]

UEFA Champions League 2017-18

Semifinals

PSG vs. Bayern Munich

In the first leg, played in Paris, PSG wins after Cavani scores on a penalty in the 77th minute. The second leg is played in Munich, where Thomas Muller scores twice for the defending champions in the first twenty minutes only to see the typically-disciplined German club collapse in the second half - Cavani scores in the 52nd, David Luiz in the 60th, and Paul Pogba in the 80th to take the lead. David Alaba scores by heading in Shaqiri's corner kick in the 89th minute, but in stoppage time Shaqiri fails to score when his strike on a cross from Muller goes off of the crossbar and with the draw, PSG advances (as it would have even with a loss thanks to away goals).

Chelsea vs. Real Madrid

A showdown of superstars pits Lionel Messi and Eden Hazard of Chelsea FC against James Rodriguez and Jesé. The first leg, at Bernabeu, winds up with a 1-1 draw, with Messi and Karim Benzema both scoring in the second half. At Stamford Bridge a few weeks later, Chelsea wins 1-0 on a 71' Hazard kick on a cross from Messi. The win catapults Chelsea, which also recently won both the FA Cup and the EPL, into position to take home its first-ever treble.

Final

Chelsea faces PSG at Estadio della Roma. The game starts with a score by Messi in the 10th, but it is evened out by Pogba scoring in the 27th. The game remains a draw for the rest of the match and goes into extra time. In the 111th minute, David Luiz scores on a wide cross from Cavani to take the lead and PSG denies Chelsea a second European Cup and win their first-ever European championship. Cavani is named both Man of the Match and Player of the Tournament.

[KingSweden]

June 2018: The stock market is back down to 16,000 as the turmoil continues to spread in Illinois, with mass selloffs in US bond markets of non-Triple A municipal and state debt. Rauner openly debates declaring the state bankrupt. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announces his resignation after five years on the job. A cruise ship leaving Miami runs aground in Haiti and American forces have to airlift the passengers out after Haitian criminal gangs surround it and threaten to hold it for ransom. Clinton's approval rating dips below 50% for the first time as the Illinois crisis continues to sour voters on her Presidency. Former Vice President Walter Mondale dies at 90 in Minnesota. A massive wildfire burns through much of Wyoming and northern Colorado, threatening thousands of homes from Cheyenne to Fort Collins. It is the hottest June on record.

June 2018 (continued): Tunisia's parliamentary election results in a second consecutive victory for secular parties. Japan's debt is downgraded by Moody's. A border incident between India and Pakistan triggers recriminatory tensions and Sharif and Modi meet at a summit in Karachi to smooth relations. George Osborne commits a major gaffe when he is caught on tape questioning Nigel Farage's sexuality. The US combat presence in Venezuela is now close to 50,000.

And now, for Sports: The Golden State Warriors, led by MVP Stephen Curry, defeat defending champion Washington Wizards in the NBA Finals in six games, with Curry named Finals MVP as well. In the Stanley Cup Finals, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Los Angeles Kings in five games to win the Leafs' first championship since 1967, ending hockey's longest championship drought. Sidney Crosby wins the Hart Trophy.

In world soccer news, Seattle Sounders FC becomes the first American team since 2002 to win the CONCACAF Champions League, defeating Pachuca in the final, AS Roma wins Serie A for the first time since 2001, PSG wins a third consecutive Ligue 1 title to go with their European Cup and semifinalist spot in the Coupe de France, Real Madrid takes La Liga for the fourth straight time (nearly matching their five straight La Liga championships from the 1960s), Chelsea wins both the FA Cup and the EPL, and Bayern Munich wins their sixth straight Bundesliga championship.

[KingSweden]

2018 FIFA World Cup

Group A

Russia (host)
Italy
Iran
Panama

The opening match of the tournament pits Russia in front of a boisterous sellout crowd in St. Petersburg against Iran, complete with a rousing rendition of the Russian national anthem in which the entire crowd stands to its feet, with Vladimir Putin in attendance. In the match itself, Russia holds Iran scoreless until the 47th minute, when Sardar Azmoun scores. Scrambling to avoid an opening game loss on home soil, Russia scores once in stoppage time on a Kokorin header on a cross from Shatov to effect a draw.

In the next game, Italy faces Panama, appearing in its first-ever World Cup final. Panama stuns the world by scoring first, with talented young striker Darwin Pinzon sends a ball off the crossbar and past Salvatore Sirigu for the country's first ever World Cup goal. The elation for Panama does not last long, as Ciro Immobile evens the score at 55' and Alessandro Florenzi scores on a cross from Balotelli at 80' to put Italy ahead permanently.

The next match sees Panama face Russia. After Shatov scores early for the hosts, Panama holds them for sixty minutes until Pinzon works a little more of his magic and hits the ball in at 85' to effect Russia's second straight draw and give Panama its first point of the tournament. Later that day, Italy clubs Iran 4-0, with Immobile scoring twice, and Balotelli and Insigne each adding another goal. With 6 points already guaranteed, Italy has clinched its first trip to the knockout stage since 2006, when they won the World Cup. Immobile's emergence for Italy is becoming the story of the tournament as he now has three goals in Russia.

On the final group match day, Russia faces Italy needing a win to be assured of not becoming only the second host to not leave the group stage. Italy beats Russia 3-1, with Balotelli scoring on a penalty at 30', Ricardo Improta at 54' and Immobile adding his fourth goal of the tournament at 77'. Shatov scores again for Russia at 60', but they never have more luck than that. Russia, with only two points, now needs Panama and Iran to draw in order to advance. Panama breaks Russia's collective heart, however, when it defeats Iran 1-0 with a goal at 71' by Jairo Jiménez. In its first-ever World Cup appearance, Panama is propelled into the second round with 4 points.

The final standings of Group A:

Italy 9
Panama 4
Russia 2
Iran 1

Goalscorers:

Immobile (Italy) 4
Balotelli (Italy) 2
Pinzon (Panama) 2
Shatov (Russia) 2
Florenzi (Italy) 1
Insigne (Italy) 1
Improta (Italy) 1
Jimenez (Panama) 1
Kokorin (Russia) 1
Azmoun (Iran) 1

Group B

Argentina
England
USA
Nigeria

The first game pits Argentina and Nigeria against one another. To the surprise of nobody, the Albiceleste win going away, with Messi scoring once and Higuain once to win 2-0. The other game is one of the premier matches of the tournament, with England and USA facing one another once again. In one of the tournament's first huge upsets, USA defeats England 1-0 with Gedion Zelalem scoring at 61' and Sean Johnson keeping 12 England shots out of goal, leading Johnson to be named Man of the Match.

The next match sees USA face Argentina and England face Nigeria. USA loses to Argentina 1-0, with Aguero scoring for the Albiceleste at 45+2'. However, their multiple opportunities and sound defense are heralded as a good sign against a side as talented as Argentina's. England, however, faces another disaster as they draw Nigeria 1-1. Welbeck scores at 55' but at 88' Ahmed Musa scores for Nigeria to give them a point.

The last day gives England a chance to advance with a win and a USA loss. Their dreams of knockout rounds end prematurely when USA beats Nigeria 3-1, with Musa opening scoring for the Green Eagles at 11' but John Brooks scoring at 20' and Jordan Morris putting them ahead permanently at 61' and with Rubio Rubin scoring at 85' for extra measure. England flames out against Argentina anyways, losing 3-0 as Messi, Aguero, and Higuain all score once.

Final Standings:

Argentina 9
USA 6
England 1
Nigeria 1

Goalscorers:

Messi (Argentina) 2
Higuian (Argentina) 2
Aguero (Argentina) 2
Musa (Nigeria) 2
Brooks (USA) 1
Morris (USA) 1
Rubin (USA) 1
Zelalem (USA) 1
Welbeck (England) 1

[KingSweden]

2018 FIFA World Cup

Group C

Germany
Chile
Cameroon
Canada

The first game pits Germany against Cameroon. Die Mannschaft, entering as favorites to win a second consecutive World Cup and fifth overall, easily dispatch the African side, winning 3-0 with Thomas Müller (25'), Mario Götze (50') and Mesut Ozil (88') all scoring. Meanwhile, Chile faces Canada, which is appearing in its first World Cup since 1986. Predictably, Chile defeats Canada 3-0, with Alexis Sanchez scoring the first hat trick of the World Cup.

Canada next faces Germany. In an absolute drubbing, Germany defeats Canada 6-0, the largest margin of victory to be attained in the entire tournament. Müller scores a hat trick, tying him with fellow German great Gerd Müller at 14 career WC goals and making Canada the first team to ever allow two hat tricks to two different teams in the same World Cup, while Götze scores another two and Lars Bender adds the last goal of the game. Chile faces Cameroon, winning 1-0 on a Angelo Henríquez penalty at 78'.

Chile and Germany face off for the top spot in the group. Chile pulls ahead initially with a Sanchez score at 21', but Müller equalizes at 57' (and has now tied Ronaldo for second-most goals in World Cup history and becomes the first man to score five goals in three World Cups) and Kroos puts Germany ahead permanently at 85' to win the group with 9 points. Canada loses to Cameroon 2-0 after Aboubakar scores twice in six minutes (31' and 37') to give Cameroon their first goals of the tournament and allows them to leave with 3 points.

Final Standings:

Germany 9
Chile 6
Cameroon 3
Canada 0

Goalscorers:

Müller (Germany) 5
Sanchez (Chile) 4
Götze (Germany) 3
Aboubakar (Cameroon) 2
Bender (Germany) 1
Ozil (Germany) 1
Kroos (Germany) 1
Henríquez (Chile) 1

[KingSweden]

2018 FIFA World Cup

Group D

Colombia
France
Netherlands
Ghana

The first game pits Colombia against France, one of the favorites entering the tournament. In a shocking upset, Colombia defeats France 1-0, with Falcao scoring on Les Bleus in the 80th minute. Meanwhile, the Netherlands drubs Ghana 3-0, with a score by Strootman (11'), de Jong (65') and Robben, who subs in to score late at 89'.

The next matches pit France and Netherlands against one another. The game ends in a scoreless 1-1 draw. Strootman scores again for Netherlands and Pogba scores for France, but they fail to earn more than one point, putting France dangerously behind the pole. Colombia, meanwhile, defeats Ghana 3-1, with James Rodriguez scoring twice (55', 61') and Falcao once (70') to blow out the talented African side, which only has Christian Atsu score at 77'.

The final matchday finds France needing a win and a Netherlands loss to Colombia to have a chance to advance on goal differentials. Pogba (20') and Benzema (56') both score to power France to a 2-1 win (Ghana scores at the 31st minute thanks to Jordan Ayew to equalize), but Netherlands (de Jong 44') and Colombia (Rodriguez 60') draw 1-1 to send both teams to the knockout rounds on points.

Final Standings:

Colombia 7
Netherlands 5
France 4
Ghana 0

Goalscorers:

James Rodriguez (Colombia) 3
Radamel Falcao (Colombia) 2
Kevin Strootman (Netherlands) 2
Siem de Jong (Netherlands) 2
Paul Pogba (France) 2
Arjen Robben (Netherlands) 1
Karim Benzema (France) 1
Jordan Ayew (Ghana) 1
Christian Atsu (Ghana) 1

[136or142]

King Sweden, I've only read the first page so far, and obviously none of this has yet happened, but your analysis seems plausible and you are likely to be far more accurate than the so-called 'psychics' Of course, in their 'defense', 'psychics' often intentionally make outrageous predictions because if one prediction they make actually comes true, they are set for life.

A couple responses: a 26.5% corporate income tax rate would still be too high. This isn't the thread to discuss this but I've argued many times that corporate income taxes should be eliminated while dividend taxes should be significantly increased.  That way, an incentive for corporations to reinvest is created: any money a corporation reinvests in the business isn't taxed, while money paid out is highly taxed. While I'm sure this is a frequent topic of discussion in economics journals, I've noticed it also getting more play in the 'popular press'.  I believe I read four articles last year from journalists on both the left and right who argued for the elimination of corporate income taxes.  I say 'corporate income taxes' because businesses should still pay property taxes as they directly receive the benefits from municipal services.

On the Canadian election.  I have to disagree with you on a couple points: there is simply no way the Green Party could win 5 seats.  Living in B.C I know the party only has support significant enough to win seats on Southern Vancouver Island and there are only 4 seats there.  It's also highly unlikely they would win them all, if any more.  The best I could see them doing is to also win the Victoria riding (and apparently not a single person has even stepped forward to seek the nomination for them in that riding yet, though that could be because many Green Party members were focused on the recent municipal elections where they gained 3 mayors chairs in Southern Vancouver Island). The additional seat the party has gained since the election when an M.P crossed from the NDP is in a resource dependent community in Northern Ontario and the pundits and pollsters I've read predict he won't even get 10% of the vote in the next election.

Also, I can't see the NDP being shut out in the Atlantic.  While the party itself may have lost a lot of support, NDP M.Ps Megan Leslie and Peter Stoffer in Nova Scotia and Yvon Godin in New Brunswick are all extremely personally popular in their own ridings and should all be easily reelected.

Regarding the U.K election.  Labour may win a minority and the SNP may prop it up, but your use of 'coalition' is the wrong word.  A coalition government means SNP would get members in the cabinet and their is no way the British public at large, or Labour supporters and probably not even SNP supporters would accept that.  I'm also not yet convinced that Labour will lose all that many seats they hold in Scotland.  While the polls for them presently look bad, I'd never discount the power of incumbency.

[KingSweden]

King Sweden, I've only read the first page, and obviously none of this has yet happened, but your analysis seems plausible and you are likely to be far more accurate than the so-called 'psychics'  Of course, in their 'defense', 'psychics' often intentionally make outrageous predictions because if one prediction they make actually comes true, they are set for life.

A couple responses: a 26.5% corporate income tax rate would still be too high. This isn't the thread to discuss this but I've argued many times that corporate income taxes should be eliminated while dividend taxes should be significantly increased.  That way, an incentive for corporations to reinvest is created: any money a corporation reinvests in the business isn't taxed, while money paid out is highly taxed.

On the Canadian election.  I have to disagree with you on a couple points: there is simply no way the Green Party could win 5 seats.  Living in B.C I know the party only has support significant enough to win seats on Southern Vancouver Island and there are only 4 seats there.  It's also highly unlikely they would win them all, if any more.  The best I could see them doing is to also win the Victoria riding. The additional seat the party has gained since the election when an M.P crossed from the NDP is in a resource dependent community in Northern Ontario and the pundits and pollsters I've read predict he won't even get 10% of the vote in the next election.

Also, I can't see the NDP being shut out in the Atlantic.  While the party itself may have lost a lot of support, NDP M.Ps Megan Leslie and Peter Stoffer in Nova Scotia and Yvon Godin in New Brunswick are all extremely personally popular in their own ridings and should all be easily reelected.

Regarding the U.K election.  Labour may win a minority and the SNP may prop it up, but your use of 'coalition' is the wrong word.  A coalition government means SNP would get members in the cabinet and their is no way the British public at large, or Labour supporters and probably not even SNP supporters would accept that.  I'm also not yet convinced that Labour will lose all that many seats they hold in Scotland.  While the polls for them presently look bad, I'd never discount the power of incumbency.

Thanks for reading, Adam! I appreciate your contributions. I'll admit to not knowing as much about BC Greens as I'd like, so those are probably NDP seats if the #s aren't quite there yet. As for the Labour situation in the UK, I didn't intend for a "coalition" i.e. the Tory-Lib Dem situation existing right now, but more of a "confidence pact" in which the SNP vows to prop up, in your words, a Labour government in return for certain concessions which if breached would allow for an immediate no-confidence vote (hence the early elections that bring a George Osborne-led Tory government back to power).

Where in BC do you live? I've spent a lot of time in Vancouver and Kelowna.

[136or142]

I live in Richmond B.C which is directly south of Vancouver.  If you've been to B.C and out of B.C, you obviously know it because that's where the airport (YVR) is.  Richmond is also the 4th biggest city in B.C by population (and probably second by geography in the Lower Mainland, and for all I know all of B.C after Surrey).  Where the people have lived in Richmond though has been much more compact but we're seeing a lot of growth recently in East Richmond, especially the area near New Westminster.  

I told a friend of mine who was looking at buying a house to look at East Richmond assuming the area must be pretty cheap to live in due to the lack of ammenities and he told me that houses there were already going for over $1 million (Canadian).  I don't know if the business services have been expanded there since, but it is (or was) a good place to open a store or a restaurant.

I've never been to Kelowna, but my brother used to live in Penticton which is also in the Okanagan.  Apparently a lot of marijuana is grown there .  One of the few things I know about Kelowna is that the late 1980s band The Grapes of Wrath wrote a song about it called "Backward Town."

[136or142]

Thanks for reading, Adam! I appreciate your contributions. I'll admit to not knowing as much about BC Greens as I'd like, so those are probably NDP seats if the #s aren't quite there yet. As for the Labour situation in the UK, I didn't intend for a "coalition" i.e. the Tory-Lib Dem situation existing right now, but more of a "confidence pact" in which the SNP vows to prop up, in your words, a Labour government in return for certain concessions which if breached would allow for an immediate no-confidence vote (hence the early elections that bring a George Osborne-led Tory government back to power).
[/quote]

Regarding Southern Vancouver Island, based on the new riding map, the Conservatives actually would have won 2 of the seats the NDP now hold.  Who wins those ridings in the next election depends on who the Liberals and Greens take their new votes from, given that they will likely both increase their support.

Regarding the U.K.  We recently had Canadian columnist Michael Van den Tandt predict that the NDP would prop up the Conservatives rather than the Liberals because the NDP are more afraid of the Liberals taking support from them in a minority situation, holding a snap election and getting back to a majority. While it would be difficult for the NDP to explain to their supporters, unless they extract major concessions from the Conservatives, I could see a similar situation in the U.K.  The SNP may not want Labour in power as a popular Labour government would likely win back a lot of seats from the SNP.  So, it would also be incredibly difficult for the SNP to explain to their supporters but I could see them prop up the Conservatives.  Most likely though in the U.K, they would probably withhold support for any party and vote for or against legislation for the party with the most seats, while supporting it on confidence bills.

[KingSweden]

2018 FIFA World Cup

Group E

Croatia
South Korea
Sweden
Tunisia

Group play begins with Croatia and South Korea facing off in Kazan. The heavily-favored Croatians are upset by Korea Republic, which atone for their 2014 WC flameout with a 1-0 win after Son Heung-min scores at 67'. Croatia fails to equalize on four opportunities inside the box in the last twenty minutes. Sweden, meanwhile, drubs Tunisia 3-0, with scores by Valmir Berisha (15'), Toivonen (55') and Emil Forsberg (62').

The next game has Croatia face off against Tunisia, and Croatia wins 2-1 with scores by Milan Badelj (55') and Luka Modric (70') atone for an own-goal by Tin Jedvaj early in the game. Sweden and South Korea draw 1-1 later that day, with Forsberg scoring at 40' and Koo Ja-cheol equalizing at 84'.

Facing Sweden, Croatia needs a win to advance. However, they are stymied by the resurgent Swedes, who win 2-1 with Berisha scoring at 20' and Simon Gustafson scoring at 71' after Badelj equalizes at 60'. Croatia's last chance to advance evaporates when Korea Republic draws Tunisia 1-1, with Son scoring for the Red Devils (44') and Fakhreddine Ben Youssef equalizes on an incredible header at 61'. With 5 points to Croatia's 4, Korea Republic advances along with group winner Sweden.

Final Standings:

Sweden 7
Korea Republic 5
Croatia 4
Tunisia 1

Goalscorers:

Berisha (Sweden) 2
Forsberg (Sweden) 2
Son (Korea Republic) 2
Badelj (Croatia) 2
Gustafson (Sweden) 1
Toivonen (Sweden) 1
Koo (Korea Republic) 1
Modric (Croatia) 1
Ben Yousseff (Tunisia) 1

Group F

Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Slovakia

Group favorites Brazil start off by facing Belgium in a match of semi-titans, and Brazil defeats Belgium 2-1, with Belgium starting the game off with an early score at 9' by Eden Hazard only to see David Luiz (27') and Neymar (70') put the game away for the Selecao, and a penalty shot by Lukaku late in the game is blocked by Brazil to prevent an equalizer for the draw. Later in the day, Slovakia faces Australia, and needing a win, the Slovaks draw the Socceroos 1-1, with Juraj Kucka scoring at 56' for Slovakia and Australia's Robbie Kruse equalizing at 80'.

Brazil next faces Slovakia, and they win 1-0 on a late Neymar score after a surprisingly gritty performance by Slovakia for most of the game. Belgium blitzes Australia 3-1, with the early goal by Matthew Leckie not enough to prevent scores by De Bruyne (30'), Hazard (52') and Januzaj (76') for Belgium.

The final matches pits Brazil, having already clinched one of the top two spots, facing off against Australia. The Australians actually lead for most of the game after Kruse scores at 20', but Fred scores at 67' to equalize and Neymar strikes on a cross from Oscar at 80' for the go ahead. Oscar scores a goal of his own at 88' to finalize the 3-1 defeat. Slovakia and Belgium face off with Slovakia needing a win to advance - instead, they draw 1-1, with Hazard scoring first and Kucka scores at 74', but Kucka's attempt at 90+2' is masterfully deflected by Thibaut Courtois and Belgium advances with 4 points to Slovakia's 2.

Final Standings:

Brazil 9
Belgium 4
Slovakia 2
Australia 1

Goalscorers:

Neymar (Brazil) 3
Hazard (Belgium) 3
Kruse (Australia) 2
Kucka (Slovakia) 2
Fred (Brazil) 1
Luiz (Brazil) 1
Oscar (Brazil) 1
De Bruyne (Belgium) 1
Januzaj (Belgium) 1
Leckie (Australia) 1

[KingSweden]

2018 FIFA World Cup

Group G

Algeria
Poland
Spain
Uruguay

The first matchup is between Spain and Uruguay, the two group favorites. Spain defeats Uruguay 1-0, with Paco Alcácer scoring at 71'. Poland defeats Algeria by an identical 1-0 score, with Robert Lewandowski scoring at 37' for the game's only goal.

The next game pits Spain and Poland against one another, and in a shocking result Poland draws mighty Spain 1-1, with Jesé scoring at 44' and Lewandowski hitting the equalizer at 78'. Two years after Poland's semifinal run at Euro 2016, it is one of the biggest signs that Poland is finally arriving as a mature footballing nation. Later that same day, Uruguay drubs Algeria 5-1, with young Diego Fagundez scoring a hat trick (11', 51', 89'), Calvani scoring at 45+3', and Luis Suarez scoring at 70'.

Spain defeats Algeria 1-0, another sign that things might be shaky for the mighty Spaniards, with Pedro scoring at 59' to avoid what would have been a humiliating draw. Uruguay, meanwhile, defeats Poland 1-0 thanks to a score by Abel Hernandez to put Uruguay into the knockout round.

Final Standings:

Spain 7
Uruguay 6
Poland 4
Algeria 0

Goalscorers:

Fagundez (Uruguay) 3
Lewandowksi (Poland) 2
Pedro (Spain) 1
Jesé (Spain) 1
Alcácer (Spain) 1
Suarez (Uruguay) 1
Calvani (Uruguay) 1
Hernandez (Uruguay) 1
Feghouli (Algeria) 1